For those unaware, this is a new housing on the market for Sony 500V and 520V cameras.

The price point is incredible at $1299US compared to 2k plus from Amphibico and L&M this case has the potential to be a serious contender.

So lets begin.

These cased are CNC cut from a solid block of aluminum, so needless to say construction is VERY solid, I honestly think I could drive over it with my SUV and it would be completely fine.

The website is a little inaccurate about the weight of this housing, they specified it was 12lbs, sadly it weights in at a whopping 17lbs!!!

And that is before the camera, additional lenses or any lights. Yikes. I am dreading lugging this thing through the airports, ugh!

I will be taking it out back into the hot tub later tonight to make sure their are no leaks and to see just how negative buoyant it is, web site specified a little on the negative side, but they also claimed it was 5 lbs lighter so.....

I do admit I will feel very safe with my camera in this housing. The locking system is fantastic, there are 2 rotation clips that spin 360 degrees and pull the back lcd panel in tighter gradually until sealed.

There are dual handle controls that are mirrored in case there is a malfunction. You will however have to open the case to connect the other handle, it is not a live mirror, but still, it is not a vacation show stopper by any means if one handle stops working. It is a mini din connection that goes into a secondary cable attaching to the camera.

This weekend I will go to see if I can find a Y cable adapter that may allow for in case signal splitting, it may or may not work.

The controls cover the basic features of the camera, zoom in, out, record, standby, picture, on and off.

As an added bonus there are hard buttons on the front that allow for a switch from auto focus to manual, and a dial to turn the manual focus wheel.

In addition there is 2 moisture sensors in the housing to ensure your camera is safe and dry.

Lastly for additional lens options the front port is 67mm threaded to allow for ANY 67mm UW lens attachment, and is designed to allow a underwater wet mount if desired.

Both handles have additional threading on the base to allow for handle extensions as the 2 handles do seem a little short.

I do have a gripe about the back panel LCD though, it is fit flush to the case, not angled at all, and has a protective skirting that is about 2 inches long coming out from the case, this means you will pretty much have to be right behind the camera to see the screen.

Thus far I am impressed overall, and for the price, I think it is well worth it.

I will post some detailed pics this weekend of the housing so you can all see for yourselves.

now I have the "Ocean Images" Videohousing for the Sony PC330 and I want a HD definition, so I want buy the "old" Sony HDR-HC9 with mini-DV (so no problem for reusing old mini-dv box and no problem with my computer and classic video software! AVCHD is very difficult to work except having a big computer...!)

so I'm hesitating between PATIMA housing and Mangrove housing...the price is very similar.

What are you thinking about Patima ? It seems very good..that's right ? like Mangrove ? (if you know)

In the Korean web site the weight of smart2 housing is 4.3 kg (=8.3 lbs) (like the housing for my futur videocamera seen in a french website) and is it possible the real weight is 17 lbs ???? I do not think so !

Sorry for my bad english expression

many thanks in advance

Sincerely

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hey Gang,

So today was the day, my Patima Smart 2 casing has arrived.

For those unaware, this is a new housing on the market for Sony 500V and 520V cameras.

The price point is incredible at $1299US compared to 2k plus from Amphibico and L&M this case has the potential to be a serious contender.

So lets begin.

These cased are CNC cut from a solid block of aluminum, so needless to say construction is VERY solid, I honestly think I could drive over it with my SUV and it would be completely fine.

The website is a little inaccurate about the weight of this housing, they specified it was 12lbs, sadly it weights in at a whopping 17lbs!!!

And that is before the camera, additional lenses or any lights. Yikes. I am dreading lugging this thing through the airports, ugh!

I will be taking it out back into the hot tub later tonight to make sure their are no leaks and to see just how negative buoyant it is, web site specified a little on the negative side, but they also claimed it was 5 lbs lighter so.....

I do admit I will feel very safe with my camera in this housing. The locking system is fantastic, there are 2 rotation clips that spin 360 degrees and pull the back lcd panel in tighter gradually until sealed.

There are dual handle controls that are mirrored in case there is a malfunction. You will however have to open the case to connect the other handle, it is not a live mirror, but still, it is not a vacation show stopper by any means if one handle stops working. It is a mini din connection that goes into a secondary cable attaching to the camera.

This weekend I will go to see if I can find a Y cable adapter that may allow for in case signal splitting, it may or may not work.

The controls cover the basic features of the camera, zoom in, out, record, standby, picture, on and off.

As an added bonus there are hard buttons on the front that allow for a switch from auto focus to manual, and a dial to turn the manual focus wheel.

In addition there is 2 moisture sensors in the housing to ensure your camera is safe and dry.

Lastly for additional lens options the front port is 67mm threaded to allow for ANY 67mm UW lens attachment, and is designed to allow a underwater wet mount if desired.

Both handles have additional threading on the base to allow for handle extensions as the 2 handles do seem a little short.

I do have a gripe about the back panel LCD though, it is fit flush to the case, not angled at all, and has a protective skirting that is about 2 inches long coming out from the case, this means you will pretty much have to be right behind the camera to see the screen.

Thus far I am impressed overall, and for the price, I think it is well worth it.

I will post some detailed pics this weekend of the housing so you can all see for yourselves.

For those unaware, this is a new housing on the market for Sony 500V and 520V cameras.

The price point is incredible at $1299US compared to 2k plus from Amphibico and L&M this case has the potential to be a serious contender.

So lets begin.

These cased are CNC cut from a solid block of aluminum, so needless to say construction is VERY solid, I honestly think I could drive over it with my SUV and it would be completely fine.

The website is a little inaccurate about the weight of this housing, they specified it was 12lbs, sadly it weights in at a whopping 17lbs!!!

And that is before the camera, additional lenses or any lights. Yikes. I am dreading lugging this thing through the airports, ugh!

I will be taking it out back into the hot tub later tonight to make sure their are no leaks and to see just how negative buoyant it is, web site specified a little on the negative side, but they also claimed it was 5 lbs lighter so.....

I do admit I will feel very safe with my camera in this housing. The locking system is fantastic, there are 2 rotation clips that spin 360 degrees and pull the back lcd panel in tighter gradually until sealed.

There are dual handle controls that are mirrored in case there is a malfunction. You will however have to open the case to connect the other handle, it is not a live mirror, but still, it is not a vacation show stopper by any means if one handle stops working. It is a mini din connection that goes into a secondary cable attaching to the camera.

This weekend I will go to see if I can find a Y cable adapter that may allow for in case signal splitting, it may or may not work.

The controls cover the basic features of the camera, zoom in, out, record, standby, picture, on and off.

As an added bonus there are hard buttons on the front that allow for a switch from auto focus to manual, and a dial to turn the manual focus wheel.

In addition there is 2 moisture sensors in the housing to ensure your camera is safe and dry.

Lastly for additional lens options the front port is 67mm threaded to allow for ANY 67mm UW lens attachment, and is designed to allow a underwater wet mount if desired.

Both handles have additional threading on the base to allow for handle extensions as the 2 handles do seem a little short.

I do have a gripe about the back panel LCD though, it is fit flush to the case, not angled at all, and has a protective skirting that is about 2 inches long coming out from the case, this means you will pretty much have to be right behind the camera to see the screen.

Thus far I am impressed overall, and for the price, I think it is well worth it.

I will post some detailed pics this weekend of the housing so you can all see for yourselves.

If you have any questions please let me know.

(edited to fix topic.)

would like to know if there is a manual white balance control on the housing ,also have you shoot any footage and posted it ,would like to see it as well as your thoughts about it know thanks